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My pulse quickened, and my body involuntarily swayed towards his. He gently released me before looking back at Brayden. “You fucking hurt her, bro, and I promise to God, I’ll hospitalize you, you hear me?” Seth growled.
I swallowed thickly. Brayden narrowed his eyes at Seth. “Not all of us are dicks, Seth.”
Seth clenched his jaw, and I flinched at the low blow his brother sent him. He looked down at me before looking back at Brayden, who I was assuming was his brother.
“You don’t know shit about me and her, you hear me? Fucking remember that.”
With that, Seth stormed off, and a moment later, I heard a bedroom door slam shut.
Brayden thrust his hand through his hair. “Sorry about that,” Brayden grumbled. “I’d say he’s not normally such a dick, but truth is, I’d be lying.” I wanted to smile because I knew how much of a dick Seth could be. But I also remembered how sweet he could be, too.
He’d changed my life in more ways than one. And I missed every part of him, even the bad parts.
Brayden ran his eyes over me. “I didn’t know you were his ex,” he finally said. “I didn’t even think to ask when I found out your name was Bailey.”
I searched his eyes, wondering if he knew I was pregnant, but there was no hint of it in his eyes. I relaxed slightly. I didn’t want more people knowing than who already did. I needed one place—one person—to be neutral ground for me.
Brayden stepped towards me. “If you don’t mind dating your ex’s older brother, then I’d like to continue seeing you, Bailey.”
Drawing in a deep breath, I nodded my head. “I’d like that, too.” Though not for the reasons he probably thought. I yawned. “Though, if you don’t mind,” I said, my eyes flickering to the screen which had just begun to play the ending credits, “I need to get home. I’m tired, and I, unfortunately, have school in the morning.”
Brayden nodded. “Yeah, of course. Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
I glanced over my shoulder as Brayden led me to the front door. Seth was standing at the end of the hall, his eyes on mine. He sighed and glared at his older brother before he looked back at me again, his eyes softening.
I swallowed thickly, trying to keep myself from crying.
What was changing with Seth?
* * *
Jacob was leaningagainst the locker next to mine, just like he did every morning, when Seth strode up. Jacob instantly straightened, his eyes narrowed on Seth. “The fuck do you want?” Jacob spat at him.
“I want to talk to you,” Seth said, completely ignoring Jacob as he looked down at me. I swallowed nervously, my heart rapidly beating in my chest. “You mind if we talk?”
I curled my fingers around the textbook in my arm, resisting the urge to wince as it pressed on the fresh cut on my wrist.
“When?” I finally asked.
Jacob gripped my shoulder, pulling me back against him. I swallowed thickly. Having Jacob as my best friend was like having another overprotective brother.
“I’m not going to fucking hurt her,” Seth snapped at Jacob, his temper getting the best of him, just like it always had a habit of doing. “I’m trying to make goddamn amends.” I sharply inhaled. That was news. Jacob’s grip didn’t loosen on my arm.
“Sorry if I find that fucking hard to believe,” Jacob told him. “I think you’ve done enough shit as it is.”
“Mother fucker—” Seth snarled, taking a step closer.
“Guys,” I said, intervening as I pressed my hand to Seth’s chest. He froze beneath my touch, his eyes flickering down to me. With a sigh, he stepped back again. I looked up at him. “We can talk,” I told him. He relaxed even more. “When do you want to talk?”
“Bailey—”
I turned pleading eyes to Jacob. He blew out a harsh breath and released my arm. I looked back at Seth.
“This evening at your place?” Seth asked. “Are you going to be home?”
I nodded. I had no plans with Brayden, and I had asked Brayden to give me a couple of days before trying for another date.
Seth gave me a small smile. Something stirred in my chest that I hadn’t felt since he’d shoved me aside when I’d found out I was pregnant. He tucked my hair behind my ear, and that tender move made me want to cry. God, I was so tired of being so emotional all the time. “I’ll text you when I’m on my way, yeah?”
